Plantlife Cymru
Lower Plants & Fungi Officer
Job Description
Reports to: Plantlife Cymru Programme Manager
Key Relationships: IPA Lower Plants and Fungi Officer
Salary:
£27,136 pro rata plus £1492 pension contribution
Hours:
Part time (21 hours/week) (Fixed term 30 month contract in the first
instance)
Location:
You can be home-based and there are options for office locations in
Bangor or Cardiff.
Benefits:
 25 days holiday pro rata/pa excluding bank holidays with extra day on
completion of 1, 3, 5 and 7 years service.
 Flexible working
 Up to 4 days additional holiday provided between Christmas and New
Year
 Contribution to personal pension scheme (current rate 5.5% of gross
Salary) dependant on employee contribution of 2%
 Eye care voucher scheme
 Sabbatical leave available after 10 years service.
 Death in Service policy cover
OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB
 Design and deliver a Lichen Apprenticeship Scheme in partnership with other
organisations and individuals.
 Work with the Programme Manager for Wales to develop Lower Plant and Fungi
Projects
 Organise and lead the Wales Lower Plant PLinC1 and contribute to the main
PLinC in Wales
 Act as a champion for lichens, bryophytes and fungi, raising awareness of their
significance & needs with land owners, partners and local communities.
 Coordinate, develop and manage conservation activities and projects for priority
lichens, bryophytes, fungi in Wales as agreed with the Programme Manager and
in association with the IPA Lower Plants and Fungi Officer
MAIN DUTIES:
Promoting Education and Awareness about Lower Plant Diversity

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Devise, deliver and evaluate the Lichen Apprenticeship Scheme and support for the
‘Lichens of Wales’ website. Work with others to ensure long term sustainability and
funding. Devise similar scheme for other lower plants for future funding and
implementation.
PLinC = Plant Link Cymru
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


Deliver on-line resources for learners to develop
skills in lichen identification for beginner through to
intermediate learners supporting though independent
from the Lichen Apprenticeship Scheme. This will
involve close liaison with the BLS and local members.
Work with Plantlife’s Communications Team to raise awareness of lichens, bryophytes
and fungi, through events, publicity and online material.
Respond to enquiries from the general public about Plantlife’s lichen, bryophyte and
fungi work in Wales.
Conserving Lower Plant & Fungal Diversity


Develop conservation projects to deliver the needs of priority lichens, bryophytes and
fungi within the context of sustainable land management practices as part of an agreed
work programme.
Demonstrate best practice management and gather evidence to support policy needs of
lichens, bryophytes and fungi.
Activities include liaison with landowners and managers to improve site management,
the use of expert consultants for survey work, contributing information to development
proposals and the co-ordination and implementation of monitoring strategies.
Building Capacity for the Conservation of Lower Plant & Fungal Diversity

Lead on Lower Plant PLinC meetings and actions, attend Wales Plant Link Cymru
meetings, attend other meetings as agreed and build partnerships and networks.
ADMINISTRATION



Agree, maintain and review a personal work plan and identify opportunities for
personal development.
Manage project budgets in line with Plantlife’s accounts systems, and assist with the
development of applications for grants
Provide regular reports line manager and participate in Wales, Programme and Plantlife
Team meeting and events.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Skills and experience
The post holder will have proven conservation and project management skills and
experience, and a passion for wild plants and fungi. Knowledge of the identification,
ecology and conservation of lower plants would be a distinct advantage.
Knowledge of
lower plants
Essential
Desirable
Degree in botany or relevant
environmental science and at least
three years proven experience
working in conservation; if degree
not held at least six years proven
experience working in conservation
in the field. Experience and
evidence of actively working with
lower plants and fungi such as
undertaking surveys, training and
submission of records
Extensive field experience in
survey, identification and
recording.
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Wildlife and
conservation
management
experience
Project
Management
Partnership
working
Essential
At least three years practical
experience in designing and
delivering conservation projects on
the ground.
Ability and experience of devising
and delivering monitoring projects.
Evidence of developing funding bids
and the processes needed to
develop successful bids.
Experience of delivering projects
within budget.
Strong understanding and
experience of building and
sustaining successful partnerships.
Desirable
Evidence and experience of
the conservation of lower
plants in the field.
Development of projects
through leading a partnership
of organisations and
individuals.
An understanding of
biodiversity delivery
structures in Wales and the
associated networks.
Organisation
Excellent organisational skills and
ability to work to tight deadlines.
Experience of maintaining records.
Experience of managing small
budgets.
Experience of writing reports.
Coordinating different strands
of work.
Delivery of training
programmes.
Communication
Ability to communicate with a range
of audiences.
Good IT skills - Knowledge of
working with computers and
computer packages (Word,
Email, Powerpoint etc).
Good writing skills with attention to
detail.
Excellent oral communicator.
Experience of using social media
and websites.
Fluent in spoken Welsh
Other
Willingness to work occasionally at
weekends.
Flexibility.
Own transport.
Willingness to travel regularly
throughout Wales and beyond
including nights away from home.
Experience of working in the
voluntary sector
Experience of managing
volunteers
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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Plantlife is the organisation that is speaking up for the
nation’s wild plants. We work hard to protect wild plants
on the ground and to build understanding of the vital
role they play in everyone’s lives. Wild plants are essential to life – they clean our air and
water, provide food and shelter for our insects, birds and animals and are critical in the
fight against climate change.
Plantlife carries out practical conservation work across the UK, manages nature reserves,
influences policy and legislation, and runs events and activities that connect people with
their local wild plants and works with others to promote the conservation of wild plants for
the benefit of all.
In Wales, Plantlife Cymru manages two nature reserves, seeks to influence policy and
legislation, works in partnership with a wide range of organisations to carry out practical
conservation on the ground and campaigns for better protection and understanding of the
importance of plants, lower plants and fungi.
Plantlife Cymru
13 St Andrews Crescent
Cardiff
CF10 3DB
Tel: 02920 276193
www.plantlife.org.uk/cymru
Speaking up for the nation’s wild plants
Plantlife International - The Wild Plant Conservation Charity is a charitable company
limited by guarantee.
Registered in England and Wales, Charity Number: 1059559
Registered in Scotland, Charity Number: SC038951
Registered Company Number: 3166339. Registered in England and Wales
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